ENDORSEMENTS, NEW DRUMMERS...The Future...

Hey to all. I said I wouldn't mention anything until I knew it was for certain, but it is now.
As on last Tuesday ITCHY TRIGGER FINGER became official endorsee's of  CORT Guitars.
After much talking and meetings CORT representatives thought it a great idea to work with us by giving us
The endorsement. I can honestly say on behalf of everyone that we are delighted, come on, what not cool about getting free guitars, haha, and we would like to thank Frank and Fionnula of ESSANESS MUSIC Kilkenny and Walter Hennessey of CORT for their backing and support on the decision. So from now on we'll be busting out some serious fucking Guitars. For more info on CORT go to www.cortguitar.com or www.cort-guitars.co.uk

11:59 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Finger Diary 28th/01/08 CORK

Finger Diaries:
28th / 01/ 08

Yo everybody, Jimmy T here, hope all is well, this is my first "diary" entry as such, so forgive me, its been awhile since there has been a diary entry.
Well as of the 28th of  January there a few days ago, we were officially back in action.
With all the confusion over the last few months, finding suitable replacements, taking to long off, practically going insane, it definitely feels good to rock out again…So the story begins…

Early Saturday morning we arose to an absolutely deadly day, packed the car, collected James aka "the young lad, Junior, Jason Newstead, Gillian" the awesome drummer that is helping us out for the meantime (we'll see) met everyone back at my house, to be greeted with a look of confusion on Robbie's face…"I want to drive" he says now, ha, but I couldn't blame him it was a deadly day. Only problem was that was two cars. We would have taken one and let Robbie drive, but how does that saying go? How many clowns can you fit in a mini??? The answer, I don't know, but the answer to how many members of ITF can you fit in a mini is 2. We headed off in convoy anyway around 10:28am, great drive down (by-passes are awesome), stopped at the usual shop, then pulled into cork a mere hour and 45 minutes later, amazing…Then I get the call from Robbie and Pam, "well where are you? We are here", BASTARD, he was driving a fucking mini. So 45 minutes later when I found the venue, we unpacked, had a look at what was going on, had a chat to the lads from the freak house promo company there, got a set time, set up, but no goddamn sound check…grr, I hate that.
As usual before gigs Pam and Robbie headed off to prob some café somewhere to discuss life in all its wonder and listen to some jazz or something, while myself and the young lad ate sandwiches and drank coffee on the street like the bum's we are, ha. We return just in time for the band to start. It wasn't packed, but there was enough to fill the floor in attendance. Up first were Forbidden Sun which were missing a singer , I like these guys, there young and have drive, next were Last chance for a quick death from Dublin, metal core all the way, Cork natives Dead-night, death metal, then it was about that time…

It's a funny feeling when people don't actually know you personally, but have heard of you so much as I was told by mike one of the organisers, even on arrival people were very apprehensive to approach us, maybe I had to much eyeliner on? Anyway, we hopped up on the stage, took our sweet time setting up in front of a room full of people with curious faces, and so it begins…

"Hi, how you doing, we're bonjovi" I said, everybody laughed, the ice was broken and straight away people started to talk to us from the floor…This was James' first gig with ITF, I cant imagine how he was feeling as I said…"This Song is called GOD SAID…" q the drums. When that snare hit for the song to explode I felt and knew everything was going to be alright. Its was awesome, god said finished, the crowd applauded as to say, 'shit these guys aren't half bad'. Today we played the 'Wrong Side of Misery' EP, which was really cool, we broke into What have we done now, Measure of a man, and before Wrong side of misery I got everybody to scream "HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY PAM", which was cool, then just as we were nearing the end I heard screams for Perfect Reality…who were we to disappoint, only this time this was the heaviest version you have ever heard of Perfect Reality, we re-worked it a little, ridicules guttural vocals and blast beats, it was awesome.
Stepping off the stage to what were once a crowd of people that were dare I say afraid (?) to approach us, we were greeted with handshakes, congratulations and conversation, with people buying t-shirts and Cds, Pam franticly looking for large t-shirts and the rest of us chatting about each other, ha. Even though the sound was shite, it was great at the same time, people got the point and idea I think.
So there was nothing to do, just catch a few of the headlining bands songs Obelisk, pack up and drive home.

So summarise the rest of the night, here goes, drive home, get lost, see every back road from cork to Kilkenny, shower, chicken curry egg fried rice, a few beers, chill with friends for Pam's birthday, come home late with everybody, drink a shit-load of coffee, stay up talking to everybody, be left sitting on my own in my sitting room at 5am thinking "what a great fucking day…Time for bed me thinks."

Peace.

4:04 AM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Currently.....
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music

We are currently writing, rehearsing and demo tracking new material, for both our live set and the studio. The songs are getting more technical, melodic and stimulating, as we try define the sound that is constantly changing and evolving.

Our music video for 'What have we done now' is in near completion, with additional pickup shots being added next week. As for our website http://www.itfrock.com; we apologize sincerely for the longer than necessary delay. The chief assures me that the wheels are in a forward motion. All we can do is hope at this stage!!

After a creative grace period additional musicians have been added to the 'Our Gem' song, which we will begin recording early next month. Once the recording is completed we will be looking for as many people as possible to feature in the video, which is being directed by oss237. More details will be posted on our website.

Also the tracks that have recently been made available for download, are revised mixes and do not feature on the cd. The artwork, along with a digital download of these mixes, will be released on the website.

Daw

1:38 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

ITF Unleash on the world...
Current mood: grateful

Ok,
So iv been waitn awhile to write this,
mainly because iv been so overwhelmed with the response
we have gotten to in the last 2 weeks.
'The Wrong Side of Misery' has been out 2 weeks now
and is still selling strong in all the local stores we have put it in.Id just like to thanks everybody that has supported us and bought cd's and t-shirts and especially for coming to the gigs.It really makes everything worth while, but now the work begins...

...Gig dates are been added and updated all the time, with about 8 dates up and another 10 unconfirmed as of yet all around ireland,so make sure to check when we are coming for you...

Also we are arranging the cd to be sold in numerous shops around the country which will all be put up soon,the main one being Heartbeat City, so if theres one in your town, go and grab it.

Again id like to thank everybody, especially the people that have been with us for so long.We are one big happy family and we hope for it to grow...So tell or warn fuckn everybody...

ITCHY TRIGGER FINGER ARE COMING FOR YOU...

Il leave you with this, it something i like to say at the end of every gig...

"Looks may be deceiving,
Music is in perception,
But as long as we fight, strive, live and die
to move in the right direction...

...I know we'll be ok"


KEEP IT POSITIVE

..m/

11:25 AM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Rockin' Out in Clonmel!!!
Current mood: grateful
Category: Music

Via Daw's blog.....



Thursday last saw myself, ITF and "merch girl" a.k.a. Emer hit the town of Clonmel during their arts festival. We were really well received from the get go with plenty of offers to carry gear from volunteers and others there looking forward to see us play. It helped that the day was a sunny one free from the nuisance of rainfall, so it was warm and it felt like summer, as funny as that sounds. We brought the gear into a tent-like room covered with designs and interpretations of contemporary sculpture. It was cosy. The stage was not really a stage but it didn't matter. I began the ultimate pleasure of setting up my kit (note sarcastic tone) while the engineer Louis blasted some Korn through the stereo. Only the bass drum was being mic'd up but it was a small enough area I thought to myself. When we had finished setting up the sound check began. The kit sounded awesome to me, everything was punchy and clear. Overall it sounded pretty good and it got us psyched for the night.

After that we headed down to the Piper which is the venue for our next gig in Clonmel to check it out. We got some drinks in while Jimmy hung up posters wherever there was an empty space. It had a stage for definite and a decent desk, overall a standard setup. I remember thinking how nice it would be to arrive at a venue a week or two before the gig and know what compromises you'll have to make, if any.

Back at the festival we waited outside while a play was in full swing across the way from us. To quote one of the organizers "..as soon as you hear the applause coming from there, you have the go ahead to make as much noise as you want!". The tent was already full bar a few who hung around us outside asking how to become a groupie or a roadie. Everyone was so friendly that the atmosphere was relaxed, a feeling i never had before a gig. Inside we went and made final adjustments to our instruments getting ready for John McClane to sound through the speakers…..

On went the show, picking up momentum with every track. We hadn't played a gig in a while (Carlow gig being the last one) but it didn't matter. It was a great gig, also the freedom we had with time made it more enjoyable. All the songs we had been working on over the last few months were played and with such intensity. It was visceral!! It was fun!!! The crowd was cheering even between breaks in songs. We finished on an absolute high and probably could have played all night from the adrenaline that was left over. T-shirts were sold and signatures given out much to our amusement. What a fun gig!

I want to thank everyone that came and supported us on the night for your kind words and your enthusiasm and we hope to see ye all again soon. For anyone else we hope to see you at the Cd launch on Sat 21st or Sun 22nd in the Zoo Club on Parliment Street, Kilkenny.

5:13 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Finger Diaries: Ready to Launch!
Category: Music

The following article was taken from Oss237's staff blog on KilkennyMusic.com

It's been so long but after over a years work Itchy Trigger Finger are finally ready to launch their new E.P 'The Wrong Side of Misery'.

As I've said before the recording of this cd has been a year long struggle for the band and the people who have worked closely with them. The change in lineup just before recording began in 2006 saw ITF discovering a new sound and style, casting aside their previous pop metal sound for heavier riffs and odd time signatures while still holding onto the power anthem vocals.

They continued to develope and write new material drawing wide influences from bands such as Tool, Dream Theatre, Pantera and Alice in Chains to name but a few. As time went by the recording was plagued with financial problems and technical difficulties, even getting the finished E.P duplicated was met with further delays. But now it's finally here, I'm holding a copy of it in my hand!

The 'Wrong Side of Misery' will be launched in the Zoo Club on Parliament Street on Saturday 21st of July (this one is over 18s), with an 'all ages' gig the following day, Sunday the 22nd. This will be the first time you'll be able to get your hands on 'The Wrong Side of Misery' E.P, a culmination of over a years work by Itchy Trigger Finger and the extended ITF family.

Saturday 21st will also see the launch of a brand new website to replace the forum at www.itfrock.com. The new website will feature the upcoming ITF tour dates, a new forum, over 150 of my photos of the band, videos, the Finger Diaries, merchandise and much much more.

The wait is finally over.

About the Author:
Ross Costigan aka Oss237 is the Resident Photographer and PR Officer for KilkennyMusic.com . He holds a diploma in Print Journalism having received full distinctions and the student of the year award. He is currently studying for a BA Honours Degree in Public Relations & Communications.

6:23 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The Finger Diaries: Ready to Rock
Category: Music

The following article was taken from Oss237's Staff Blog on KilkennyMusic.com.

Last night saw the beginning of the final stage, in what has been over a year of hard work. Itchy Trigger Finger have finished their long-awaited E.P The Wrong Side of Misery.

The band sat in the studio listening to the final mix of all five tracks, with smiles on their faces. The recording process hasn't been an easy one, plagued by technical and financial difficulties, as the band adjusted to the change in lineup to eventually find their very unique progressive anthem metal sound. The 5-track recording runs over 42 minutes, making it more of a mini-album, filled with incendiary guitar solos, chunky riffs, odd time signatures and anthems that are sure to cause spinal damage.

Cover art has been finalised, the final track listing has been decided as: 'Perfect Reality', 'What Have We Done Now', 'God Said', 'Measure of a Man' and the 'Wrong Side of Misery', in that order. You'll be able to get an advanced preview of the songs on the SoundSystem Podcast Special with ITF, just before the official launch. The launch date and details will be announced shortly as things are finalised giving time for mastering and duplication.

The launch date will also be the same day that Itchy Trigger Finger launch their brand new website to replace the itfrock Forum . The site is in the final stages and will still contain the forum area but it will also have music, merchandise and a host of other things.

The galleries will hold over 150 unseen photographs of ITF, featuring: gigs, promo-shoots, behind the scenes, fans and artwork. The Finger Diaries, my on the road accounts with ITF will be there as well as a blog to keep everyone updated. The video section will contain footage from gigs, the studio, on the road madness and some bloopers. The site will also be the best place to check tour dates for the upcoming nationwide tour.

In the words of Itchy Trigger Finger; "Progression, onwards and upwards!"

About the Author:
Ross Costigan aka Oss237 is the Resident Photographer and PR Officer for KilkennyMusic.com . He holds a diploma in Print Journalism having received full distinctions and the student of the year award. He is currently studying for a BA Honours Degree in Public Relations & Communications.

4:33 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Finger Diaries: Dun Mhuire Theatre - Wexford
Current mood: irritated
Category: Music

The following article was featured in the March edition of Sound System eMagazine on www.kilkennymusic.com.

Take one kilkenny progressive metal band, a roadtrip to Wexford town on Paddys Day, a huge venue, some bad organisers, 200 wrestling music fans, turn up the heat and wait to explode.

It's the one day of the year when everyone in the world wants to be Irish, and we celebrate it by drinking more than any of them. Itchy Trigger Finger are on the road again, this time to the Dun Mhuire Theatre in Wexford town.

The venue is huge, an old theatre, ITF set up their gear with all the other bands and run through a sound check. An organiser announces that the are two rules; no drinking on stage and no swearing, not very Irish or in the Paddys day spirit.

Afterwards I take a stroll with Pam in search of coffee. Local scumbags show their curiousity with my mohawk by pulling on it and speaking some unknown dialect. We make our way back through the 200+ people queueing outside, just as Chained Angel take to the stage.

Chained Angel couldn't try to be Iron Maiden any harder, unless of course they got a Zombie mascot, tonight they don't. As they jump around on stage the crowd warms up by literally wrestling each other. People are jumping all over the place, one kid actually suplexes another as people fling each other around in crazy circle pits.

Back in the Itchy Trigger Finger dressing room, yes they have a dressing room, the lads are warming up. They're on third, this has been agreed. There was alot of confusion earlier between bands, organisers and sound engineers about the lineup, but it was finally agreed they were on third. The second band thrundle through Metallica cover after Metallica cover, I go outside for a smoke to watch scumbags starting fights with kids, for no reason. The halls of the theatre are full of drunk kids, the toilets are a mess of puke, empty beer cans and kids sniffing aerosol.

Itchy Trigger Finger take to the stage to set up, we're half way through changing the drumkit from right handed to left handed when one of the organisers storms up and starts shouting at everyone. He rants about the lineup and that some other band are on now. He screams at people and fires abuse, people are getting out of his way when he turns and shouts at Itchy Trigger Finger. Not today pal.

Itchy Trigger Finger have come along way in the past year, they've changed lineup and discovered their own sound, they've played countless gigs in an effort to spread their music and have thrived to create something different as they struggled through numerous recording difficulties. One thing is for sure, they are sick of badly organised gigs, assholes on powertrips who care more about the €9 cover charge than what the kids are doing once they're inside, and being treated like amateurs.

What follows is a heated argument, I tell the guy to stop shouting, he shouts so I shout, I tell him it's his bad communication, his lack of giving a shit, his asshole need to shout at people who have done nothing wrong, in an effort to point the finger at somebody else, incase he messed up and most importantly, I tell him not to shout at Itchy Trigger Finger. He storms off stage and the conversation continues in the dressing room, as the other band stumble through a 20 minute set which leaves everyone wondering what all the fuss was about.

Finally after many apologies and bad attempts at explainations from organisers, if they can be called organisers, ITF decide to continue on. They take to the stage and begin to set up, again. The smiles are gone and this time they're gonna send a message.

The John McClane speech from Die Hard intro blasts through the PA, the curtains fly back and ITF erupt into their newest song, 'the Narcisscist'. The 12 minute song hammers a message straight to the organisers and crowd, frontman Jimmy Trigger calls over the microphone, "I'm sorry but you're not gonna hear any Metallica covers here, so just shut the fuck up and listen. You might learn something."

Jimmy throws himself viciously around the stage, Pams dreads are flying, Robbie rips through guitar solos, Daw pummels his kit and ITF drive through 'God Said' and 'What have we done now'. I'm minus a camera tonight and I've never been more sorry. I've been on the road with ITF over a year now and I've never witnessed them more intense and angry, they are sick of being pushed around.

The final band of the night have been standing side stage watching, they've decided they no longer want to go on stage so Itchy Trigger Finger will have an extra 20 minutes.

The Wrong Side of Misery is over 11 minutes long, the song itself is split into three chapters, the title song of ITF's upcoming E.P, and it is nothing short of brilliant. They finish off with Perfect Reality, the riff heavy song drives the crowd into one final vicious circle pit.

ITF have faced both financial and technical difficulties throughout the recording process and have made it to this final stretch a different band. They have found their own sound and their way of sending their message. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "if you're not on the ITF train, it'll just go through you", tonight we saw the first casualties.

We leave the Dun Mhuire theatre as organisers hang their heads and offer faint apologies. Itchy Trigger Finger don't want apologies, they want people to listen, and they want the respect they deserve at this stage. Next time they play in Wexford town, they'll get both.


About the Author:
Ross Costigan aka Oss237 is the Resident Photographer and PR Officer for KilkennyMusic.com . He holds a diploma in Print Journalism having received full distinctions and the student of the year award. He is currently studying for a BA Honours Degree in Public Relations & Communications.

8:23 AM - 7 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Finger Diaries: Radio City - Dublin
Current mood: productive
Category: Music

The following article was featured in the February edition of Sound System eMagazine on www.kilkennymusic.com.

Blast off!
The Blast Space festival took place last weekend, January 27th, in Radio City, Dublin. With over 10 bands on the bill and featuring no less than three Kilkenny bands, KilkennyMusic.com's resident photographer, Ross Costigan headed to the big smoke.

Most music fans in Kilkenny will have heard of Itchy Trigger Finger, the progressive metal outfit exploded onto the Kilkenny music scene in 2003 winning the Battle of the Bands. Today, they're headlining on the Cavern stage for the Blast Space festival. There's two stages and the venue is packed full. Strangely enough most of the crowd seem to have the same haircut, boys and girls alike, a sort of wind-swept combover look. Much as I'd like to say "that's not important, it's the music that counts", sadly for today it doesn't seem that way. The music doesn't count for much, the bands on the bill are a strange mix of pop-punks from Holland and the UK to mediocre Dublin metal bands, most of whom can't play very well but when they all pose on stage with those haircuts it gives the effect that a gale force wind is blowing across the stage. That is of course until just after 4 o'clock in the dimly lit cavern room.

A voice comes through the P.A system, its Bruce Willis in 'Die Hard', the scene where he's on the walky talkie, talking to Al, "...this is Sergeant Al Powell of the Los Angeles Police Department. If the person who radioed for help on this channel can hear me, acknowledge this transmission...can you identify yourself...", ITF stand poised on stage, they've caught the crowds attention, John McClane screams through the speakers "...just listen fast because this is a party line and the neighbours have itchy trigger fingers!" And with that Itchy Trigger Finger explode into their brand new song, currently titled 'The Narcissist'. It's a 12 minute song that hammers the name Itchy Trigger Finger into the minds of the crowd, when most of todays bands will be forgotten by tomorrow.

Frontman Jimmy Trigger grabs the microphone and smiles, "hey....tell your friends there's a REAL metal band playing in here." He's not kidding. ITF have changed alot in the last four years, no longer the poppy metallers they started as. The change in lineup, early last year, which saw Alan Dawson take over as sticksman and Robbie Dunne on guitar has brought them down a different path. ITF have found their sound and its nothing short of an onslaught on the ears.

Robbie Dunne makes it look easy, as he shreds his guitar effortlessy. Guitarists from the other bands are gathering, watching in awe, suddenly realising there's more to guitar than just three cords. At the back is Daw who seems to have no difficulty in providing backing vocals, whilst at the same time keeping the beat through some of the bands odd time signatures. Pam is still there on the bass, her long dreads hang over her face as she seems lost in the music. Jimmy confidently leaps and bounds around the stage, a photographers dream for classic poses and shots of somebody who's confident enough to rock out when most bands just look at the necks of their guitars nowadays.

ITF have been off the road since the start of the summer, hitting the studio to record their long awaited E.P 'The Wrong Side of Misery', but as the recording enters the final stage it seems clear today, that they are more than ready to hit the circuit again and this time if your not on the ITF train, it'll just go through you.

The crowd is building, ITF rip through "God Said", "What have we done now?" and "The Wrong side of misery". People are going apeshit, anybody who doesn't know the lyrics is just rocking out. They finish off with 'Perfect Reality''. The crowd starts to jump with the opening riff, they throw themselves around the room, enjoying every second. The chorus,"I'll break you down" is chanted through the crowd. The bridge kicks in and people are flying through the pit, staff rush to re-inforce the speakers as the crowd goes insane, all the while, the event organisers stand looking at each other, wondering why Itchy Trigger Finger weren't headlining on the main stage. A mistake they won't make again.

As I leave Radio City, I notice ITF t-shirts are suddenly being worn in the crowd. When ITF launch their E.P, they'll be touring around the country with it, and with the talent and energy they displayed today they'll soon have an army of fans behind them.






About the Author
Ross Costigan aka Oss237 is the Resident Photographer and PR Officer for KilkennyMusic.com. He holds a diploma in Print Journalism having received full distinctions and the student of the year award. He is currently studying for a BA Honours Degree in Public Relations & Communications.

7:45 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Wrong Side of Misery E.P.
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Music

Hey all,
We are currently recordin tracks for the new E.P. titled "The Wrong Side of Misery". The e.p. will include 5 tracks yet to be confirmed and some multimedia content containing pictures and video of the recording and practicing leading up to the recording. Will keep ya'll posted. Also the new ITF site will be ready to launch close to the weekend with as much content as you can beat a stick with!! Its coming..............

Danke schon,
Daw

8:27 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment